Communication system for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A communication system for a vehicle includes an interior assembly and an in-vehicle communication control that is located in the vehicle remote from the interior assembly. A wired connective link electrically connects the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control. A human-machine interface is located at the interior assembly and is connected to the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link to communicate at least one human-machine interface signal between the human-machine interface and the in-vehicle communication control. A gobal positioning system control in the vehicle communicates at least one GPS-dervied signal to one of the interior assembly and the in-vehicle communication control via the connective link and the at least one human-machine interface signal and the at least one GSP-derived signal share the connective link such that the connective link comprises a shared common connective link between the in-vehicle communication control and the interior assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/964,512, filed Oct. 13, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,341,which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application, Ser. No.60/511,231, filed Oct. 14, 2003, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to communication or telematicssystems for vehicles and, more particularly, to a communication ortelematics system for a vehicle that has an interior assembly, such asan interior rearview mirror assembly or accessory module or windshieldelectronic module or the like, and a human-machine interface, such asuser actuatable buttons or a microphone or the like, at or in theinterior assembly and connected to a telematics control unit that is inthe vehicle and remote from the mirror assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide an interior rearview mirror assembly thatincludes a vehicle information display, such as a directional headingdisplay or compass display, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,802,727, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Typically,such a mirror assembly includes a compass sensor, such as amagnetoresistive sensor, a magnetocapacitive sensor, a magnetoinductivesensor, or a flux gate sensor or the like, which may be fixedly attachedto a mirror mount that attaches the mirror assembly to a mirror assemblymounting element, such as a conventional mounting button mounted on aninterior surface of the windshield of the vehicle. The mirror assemblymay also include compass processing circuitry that is operable toprocess the signals from the sensors and to control or adjust thedisplay to provide directional heading information to the driver oroccupant of the vehicle.

It is also known to provide a telematics system, such as ONSTAR® or thelike, as a vehicle feature or option or accessory. The telematics systemincludes a telematics electronics control unit or module that may bepositioned at an instrument panel area of the vehicle or elsewhere inthe vehicle and typically remote from the interior rearview mirrorassembly. The telematics control module may include a global positioningsystem (GPS) control or unit or receiver and a cellular telephonereceiver and/or the like.

The interior rearview mirror assembly in many vehicles provides ahuman-machine interface (HMI), such as buttons or the like and/or amicrophone for interfacing with the telematics control module, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,287 for TIRE INFLATION ASSISTANCEMONITORING SYSTEM, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The mirror assembly thus may include user actuatable inputs or buttonsor controls, such as at a bezel or chin portion of the mirror assemblythat are readily accessible for actuation by an occupant of the vehicle,and/or may include a microphone for receiving audible signals fromwithin the cabin of the vehicle. The user actuatable buttons and themicrophone at the interior rearview mirror assembly are typicallyconnected to or in communication with the telematics control module. Forexample, a keypad status of the user actuatable buttons or keypad istypically communicated to the telematics control module via a two wireconnective or communication link between the mirror assembly and thetelematics control module, with the status identification being achievedvia a variable resistance keypad at the buttons. The microphone is alsotypically connected to the telematics control module via a separate twowire connection.

It is also known in the art (such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,539,306; 5,724,316; and 5,761,094, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference) to utilize the global positioning system as a meansof or adjunct to directional sensing for the vehicle. The GPS controlunit may optionally be connected to or in communication with the compasssensor/system/display via a separate connective wiring or communicationlink. The wiring thus typically is separately provided for vehicles thatwill include such a GPS-derived directional sensing system.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a vehicle communication ortelematics system, which has a human-machine-interface or accessoryassociated with an in-vehicle telematics control module and located atan interior assembly that is remote from the in-vehicle telematicscontrol module, and which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a communication system that utilizes acommon connective link or wire to provide different signals or databetween a communication control (such as an in-vehicle telematicscontrol unit or the like) in the vehicle and an interior assembly remotefrom the communication control. The communication system utilizes theexisting connective link between a human-machine interface or accessoryor device (such as user actuatable inputs or buttons or a microphone orthe like at the interior rearview mirror assembly) and the in-vehiclecommunication control for either (a) communicating a signal from avehicle-based or in-vehicle navigational system or control, such as anin-vehicle global positioning system control unit (which may be part ofor incorporated into the telematics control unit) to the interiorassembly (such as to a directional heading display or compass displaysystem at the interior assembly), or (b) communicating a signal from amirror-based or accessory module-based navigational system, such as aglobal positioning system control unit (which may be located at or nearthe interior rearview mirror assembly or at or near an accessory moduleor windshield electronic module or the like at or near or associatedwith the interior rearview mirror assembly and/or the vehiclewindshield) to the in-vehicle communication control.

The global positioning system control of the communication system of thepresent invention may comprise a vehicle-based or telematics-based orin-vehicle GPS control unit (that may be at or near or associated withor part of the in-vehicle telematics control unit) positioned at aninstrument panel of the vehicle or elsewhere in the vehicle and at alocation remote from the interior assembly. The in-vehicle GPS controlunit may access the connective link or pathway and may utilize the linkor pathway to communicate GPS-derived signals or data to the interiorassembly, such as to a directional heading display (or to a compasssystem or circuitry) at or near or associated with the interiorassembly. For example, the in-vehicle GPS control unit may utilizeaspects described in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filedJun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference, to provide directional heading data or signals tothe directional heading display.

Optionally, the global positioning system control unit of thecommunication system of the present invention may be positioned at ornear the interior assembly, such as within the mirror assembly or at orin an accessory module or pod or attachment or windshield electronicmodule or the like that is at or near or attached to or associated withthe interior rearview mirror assembly. The GPS control unit may accessand utilize the existing connective link or pathway or wires tocommunicate GPS-derived signals or data (such as vehicle location orposition or directional heading data and/or time data and/or the like)to the communication control located in the vehicle and remote from theinterior assembly.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle communicationsystem includes an interior assembly having a human-machine interface oraccessory or device that is associated with a vehicle-based orin-vehicle communication control module or unit positioned remote fromthe interior assembly. The human-machine interface is connected to thein-vehicle communication control unit or module via a connective orcommunication pathway or link, such as a pair of wires or the like. Theconnective link communicates at least one human-machine interface (HMI)signal from the human-machine interface to the communication control.The communication system includes or may be associated with or incommunication with a global positioning system control at or near orassociated with or incorporated into the in-vehicle communicationcontrol. The global positioning system control may utilize theconnective pathway or link to communicate at least one GPS-derivedsignal or GPS data to the interior assembly of the communication system,such as to an accessory or display or device at or in or associated withthe interior assembly. The HMI signals and the GPS-derived signals sharethe connective link and are communicated via a common connective linkbetween the in-vehicle communication control and the interior assembly.

For example, the interior assembly may include a directional headingdisplay system that is operable to display information indicative of adirectional heading of the vehicle to a driver or occupant of thevehicle. The GPS control may share the common connective link tocommunicate the GPS-derived signals or data to the directional headingdisplay system of the interior assembly. The interior assembly maycomprise an interior rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, anaccessory module of the vehicle, a windshield electronics module of thevehicle, an overhead console of the vehicle, or an extension of aconsole that may be positioned along the windshield of the vehicle (suchas an extension of the types described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,287 forTIRE INFLATION ASSISTANCE MONITORING SYSTEM, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehiclecommunication system includes an interior assembly having ahuman-machine interface or accessory or device associated with avehicle-based or in-vehicle communication control module or unitpositioned remote from the interior assembly. The human-machineinterface is connected to the communication control unit or module via aconnective or communication pathway or link, such as a pair of wires orthe like, and communicates at least one human-machine interface (HMI)signal to the communication control via the connective link. Thecommunication system includes a global positioning system controllocated at the interior assembly (such as at an interior rearview mirrorassembly or at an accessory module or pod or attachment or windshieldelectronic module at or near or attached to or associated with aninterior rearview mirror assembly). The global positioning systemcontrol utilizes the common connective pathway or link to communicateGPS-derived signals or data to the in-vehicle communication control. TheGPS-derived signals and the HMI signals share the connective link andare communicated via a common connective link between the in-vehiclecommunication control and the interior assembly.

Optionally, the human-machine interface may comprise a plurality of useractuatable inputs or controls or buttons that are readily accessible byan occupant of the vehicle and operable to toggle or actuate/deactuateone or more functions of the communication control. Optionally, thehuman-machine interface may comprise other accessories or devices orinterfaces associated with or in communication with the communicationcontrol (or with a cellular telephone receiver or the like associatedwith or incorporated into the communication control), such as amicrophone or microphones or microphone array located at or in or nearthe interior assembly or associated with the interior assembly or thelike, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle communication systemthat includes an interior assembly having a human-machine interface(such as user actuatable inputs or buttons or a microphone or the like)that is connected to or in communication with an in-vehiclecommunication control (such as an in-vehicle telematics control unit orthe like) positioned or located remote from the interior assembly. TheGPS control may utilize the existing wires or connective links orpathways that are connected between the human-machine interface and thein-vehicle communication control to communicate GPS-derived signals ordata to an accessory or display at the interior assembly (if the GPScontrol unit is a telematics-based or in-vehicle GPS control unit and islocated at or is part of the telematics control unit and is thus remotefrom the interior assembly), or to the in-vehicle communication control(if the GPS control unit is located at or near or is otherwiseassociated with the interior assembly and is thus remote from thein-vehicle communication control). The same or common existing wires orconnective link thus may be used to communicate HMI signals to thecommunication control (such as to toggle or actuate/deactuate a functionof a telematics control unit or to provide a signal indicative of anaudible signal within the vehicle as received by a microphone or thelike) and to communicate GPS-derived signals or data either to anaccessory or display system in or at or near the interior assembly or tothe in-vehicle communication control.

The present invention thus may provide an in-vehicle GPS control unitand an accessory (such as a directional heading display or compasssystem or the like) at an interior assembly that utilize existing wiresor links or pathways between the interior assembly and the in-vehicletelematics control unit of the vehicle. The communication system of thepresent invention thus does not require separate wires or communicationlinks or pathways between the GPS control unit (which may be positionedremote from the interior assembly) and the accessory or display at theinterior assembly. The present invention thus may reduce the costsassociated with providing GPS-derived signals or data to a compass ordirectional heading display or system of a mirror assembly by utilizingand sharing common and existing wiring for the additional feature.

Alternately, the present invention may provide a GPS control unit at ornear the interior assembly that may utilize the existing links orpathways or wires to communicate GPS-derived signals or data (such aslocation or position data or directional heading data or time dataand/or the like) to the in-vehicle communication or telematics modulelocated in the vehicle and remote from the interior assembly. Thepresent invention thus may provide an enhanced performance GPS controlunit (by placing the GPS control unit and GPS antenna at the interiorassembly, such as at an interior rearview mirror assembly or at or in anaccessory module or pod or attachment or windshield electronic module ator near or associated with the interior rearview mirror assembly and/orthe windshield or at or in an overhead console or an extension of aconsole at or near the windshield), without requiring additional wiringchanges to the vehicle.

The present invention thus provides a common connective or communicationlink between the human-machine interface and communication control andbetween the GPS control unit and accessory or directional headingdisplay or communication control. The present invention thus providesfor communication of signals or data without requiring additionalcommunication links or wires, and thus limits or substantially precludesany disturbance of the current or existing vehicle wiring orarchitecture of the vehicle. The present invention thus may provideGPS-based or GPS-derived features at a reduced cost for vehicles thatalready include a vehicle-based or in-vehicle communication ortelematics control or module or unit with interface buttons ormicrophones (or other human-machine interfaces) at the interior assembly(such as at the interior rearview mirror assembly or at an accessorymodule or pod or windshield electronics module or the like at or near orassociated with the mirror assembly or at or in an overhead console oran extension of a console) and remote from the in-vehicle communicationcontrol.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a forward facing perspective view of an interior rearviewmirror assembly in accordance with the present invention, as facinggenerally forward with respect to a direction of travel of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance withthe present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram similar to FIG. 2 of another communicationsystem in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a communication system 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of a vehicle includesan interior assembly 12, an accessory or device or display system 14positioned at or near or within the interior assembly 12, and avehicle-based or in-vehicle communication or telematics systemelectronic control module or unit or circuitry 16 positioned in thevehicle and remote from the interior assembly, such as within aninstrument panel area 17 of the vehicle or elsewhere in the vehicle(such as in or at or near a vehicle console or the like). The accessory14 may comprise a directional heading display system and may include adirectional heading display or display element 18 that is operable todisplay directional information that is viewable at the interiorassembly by a driver or occupant of the vehicle. The interior assembly12 includes a human-machine interface (HMI) or telematics accessory ordevice 20 (such as one or more user actuatable inputs or buttons orcontrols 20 a for controlling or toggling or actuating/deactuatingvarious functions of the communication system, or such as a microphone20 b for receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin, or thelike) for providing a user interface with the in-vehicle telematicscontrol module 16. The human-machine interface 20 is connected to or incommunication with the telematics control module 16 via wires or aconnective or communication pathway or link 22. The telematics controlmodule 16 may include or may be associated with a vehicle navigationalsystem or unit, such as a global positioning system (GPS) control orcircuitry or module or unit 28 (FIG. 2) or 28′ (FIG. 3) that may accessand utilize or share common wires or communication links 22 tocommunicate data or signals to the interior assembly 12, such as to theaccessory or display or system 14 at the interior assembly 12, and/or tothe telematics control module 16, as discussed below (with the link 22being commonly used by the human-machine interface (HMI) signals betweenthe human-machine interface 20 and telematics control module 16 and bythe GPS-derived signals or data from the GPS control unit 28, 28).

The communication system of the present invention thus provides forcommunication between the global positioning system control unit and thecompass or directional heading display system (or other accessory orsystem at the interior assembly that is associated with the globalpositioning system control unit) or communication or telematics controlmodule via utilization of existing wires or leads or links or pathwaysbetween the telematics control module and the interior assembly, suchthat an addition of such a GPS feature or function results in little orno disturbance of or adverse affect on the current vehicle wiring and/orarchitecture.

The communication system may utilize aspects of various communication ortelematics systems, such as an ONSTAR® system as found in General Motorsvehicles or the like, and/or such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154; 5,255,442; 5,632,092; 5,798,688;5,971,552; 5,924,212; 6,243,003; 6,278,377; 6,420,975; 6,477,464; and/or6,678,614; and/or U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filedJun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593; Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug.20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH ATELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796; Ser. No. 10/422,378,filed Apr. 24, 2003 by Schofield for IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,946,978; and Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 byKulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No.7,249,860; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19,2003 by Donnelly Corporation et al. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE,and published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/058540, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/308877, filed Oct. 1,2003 by Donnelly Corp. for MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and publishedApr. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/032568, herein byreference.

Optionally, and as discussed in detail below, the GPS control unit maycomprise an in-vehicle or telematics-based GPS control unit 28 (FIG. 2),which is remote from the interior assembly (and may be provided as partof the telematics control module 16 or may be associated with or incommunication with the telematics control module 16, without affectingthe scope of the present invention). The GPS control unit 28 may accessor utilize or share the connective or communication link or pathway orwires 22 to communicate GPS-derived data or signals, such as location orposition data or directional heading data and/or time data and the like,to the compass or directional heading display system at or near orassociated with the interior assembly. Optionally, and as also discussedbelow, the GPS control unit may comprise a mirror-based or module-basedor assembly-based GPS control unit 28′ (FIG. 3) and may be positioned inor at or near the interior assembly 12, whereby the GPS control unit 28′may access or utilize or share the connective or communication link orpathway or wires 22 to communicate GPS-derived data or signals, such aslocation or position data or directional heading data and/or time dataand the like, to the in-vehicle telematics system module 16 locatedremote from the interior assembly 12.

The interior assembly 12 may comprise an interior rearview mirrorassembly (as shown in FIG. 1), or may comprise another type of interiorassembly, such as an accessory module or pod or attachment located at ornear or attached to or associated with an interior rearview mirrorassembly, or such as a windshield electronic module or windshieldintegration module or the like positioned at or near the windshield ofthe vehicle. The windshield electronic module or attachment may includeother accessories or components and may utilize aspects of accessorymodules such as of the types disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,690,268; 6,243,003; 6,278,377; 6,420,975; U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al.for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; and/or Ser.No. 10/355,454, filed Jan. 31, 2002 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLEACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281; and/or PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, published on Jul. 15, 2004 asInternational Pub. No. WO 2004/058540 A2, and published Jul. 15, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/058540; and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US01/06067, filed Feb. 26, 2001, International Publication No. WO01/64481, published Sep. 7, 2001 , which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference. The windshield electronic module may be positionedat or near or attached to or associated with or adjacent to thewindshield of the vehicle such that at least a portion of the windshieldelectronic module is positioned at the windshield. The windshieldelectronic module may attach to the windshield, and may have a viewtoward the windshield, or may be an extension of a header console or thelike, such as a windshield module of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,445,287; and in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/232,122,filed Aug. 30, 2002 by Schofield et al. for VEHICULAR HEADER CONSOLESYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,215, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference. Such windshield electronic modules may be separateand distinct from an interior rearview mirror assembly. Optionally, theinterior assembly may comprise an overhead accessory console of thevehicle that is at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of avehicle. Other types of interior assemblies may be implemented, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention.

The global positioning system control unit 28, 28′ may comprise a GPSreceiver/signal processor that is connected to a GPS antenna 30, 30′that receives a satellite communication to determine the geographiclocation of the vehicle, as is known in the art. Such global positioningsystem receivers / processors, sometimes referred to as a GPS chip set,are available from various suppliers, such as, for example, Motorola ofSchaumburg, Ill. and Trimble Navigation of Sunnyvale, Calif. Bydeduction of the point-to-point locational movement of the vehicle, thedirectional heading (e.g., N, S, E, W, etc., which may be displayed ascharacters, icons, indicial or other indicators or the like) of thevehicle can be deduced by the GPS control unit.

The human-machine interface or accessory or device 20 may comprise oneor more user actuatable inputs 20 a. The user actuatable inputs 20 a(such as buttons, switches or the like) may be positioned at andassociated with a keypad 24 that is connected to the telematics controlmodule 16 of the vehicle via wires or link or pathway 22 a. For example,one of a pair of wires may provide an initial voltage to the keypad 24,while the other wire or return wire may provide a return voltage orsignal to the telematics control module 16. The keypad 24 may include avoltage divider comprising a plurality of resistors to drop the voltagedown or reduce the voltage in response to one of the inputs or buttons20 a being actuated or depressed by a user. For example, each button maybe associated with a respective resistor, whereby actuation of one ofthe buttons causes a respective drop in voltage (via the respectiveresistor) such that the return voltage (along the other or return wireof wire or link 22 a) to the telematics control module 16 indicateswhich button was actuated. The keypad or resistive ladder interface thusprovides multiple voltage conditions (for example, four voltageconditions for three inputs or buttons) for the various conditions (nobutton actuated or one of the three buttons actuated) that may beencountered via actuation of the user inputs or buttons at the interiorassembly.

Alternately, the communication or telematics control module 16 may alsoor otherwise be connected to another human-machine interface oraccessory or device, such as microphone 20 b (which may be positioned ator in or near the interior rearview mirror assembly or at or in or nearan accessory module or pod or windshield electronics module at or nearor associated with or attached to the interior rearview mirror assemblyor at an overhead console or the like) via wires or connective orcommunication link or pathway 22 b. The microphone may be any type ofmicrophone or microphones or microphone array suitable for use with thetelematics system or telematics control module, and may utilize aspectsof the microphones described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003; 6,278,377; and6,420,975; and PCT Application No. US/2003/030877, filed Oct. 1, 2003 byDonnelly Corporation et al. for MICROPHONE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, nowpublished as PCT Pub. No. WO 2004/032568 A1, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

Optionally, and as shown FIG. 2, a vehicle-based or telematics-based orin-vehicle GPS control unit 28 may be positioned at or near or may beincorporated in the in-vehicle telematics module 16, such as at theinstrument panel area 17 of the vehicle or at a console of the vehicleor the like. The GPS control unit 28 may be connected to or may be incommunication with the common link or pathway 22 and may utilize theexisting link or pathway 22 to communicate GPS-derived signals or datato the interior assembly 12, such as to an accessory or device ordisplay, such as a directional heading display system 14 and/ordirectional heading display element 18 at the interior rearview mirrorassembly or the like, in order to provide directional heading dataand/or position data to the directional heading display system, such asby utilizing the principles described in U.S. patent applications, Ser.No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIORREARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593; and/orSer. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIORREARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp.et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published Dec. 2, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/103772, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference. Optionally, as described below, theGPS control unit 28 may communicate such GPS-derived data or signals toa compass sensor or system or circuitry 15 or to the directional headingdisplay 18 in applications that do not include the magnetoresponsivecompass sensor system, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. Optionally, the GPS control unit 28 may communicate suchGPS-derived data or signals to other GPS-based accessories or systems atthe interior assembly or other accessories or systems that arepositioned or located at the interior assembly and are suitable toreceive such GPS-derived data or signals, without affecting the scope ofthe present invention. The common connective link 22 thus maycommunicate HMI signals down the link to the telematics control unit ormodule while also providing a conduit or link for communicatingGPS-derived signals or data up the link to the interior assembly.

Optionally, the communication system of the present invention may beincorporated into a vehicle that includes a network bus, such as a CANbus or a LIN bus or the like, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,291,905, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The commonconnective link 22 may connect at or convert to the LIN bus (or CAN bus,such as a dedicated CAN bus or the like, or other interface connectionor the like), such that a LIN bus node 32 a is at or near thevehicle-based telematics control module 16 at the instrument panel orconsole or the like and a LIN bus node 32 b is at or near the interiorassembly or mirror assembly or accessory module or the like. The busnodes 32 a, 32 b and link 22 thus may transfer GPS-derived data orsignals from the GPS control unit 28 to the accessory or display system14, while the nodes and link may provide the voltage supply and returnsignals or HMI signals to and from the keypad 24 or other human-machineinterface or telematics accessory or device at or near or associatedwith the interior assembly. The communication system of the presentinvention thus may utilize the same or common wires or link or pathwayto provide or communicate HMI signals to the telematics control modulefrom user inputs or a microphone or the like at the interior assemblyand to provide or communicate GPS-derived data or signals to theaccessory or display system (such as a directional heading display orthe like) at or in the interior assembly from the GPS control unit atthe telematics control module or otherwise remote from the interiorassembly.

The network bus may be operable to communicate with other systems of thevehicle, such as with accessories or elements of an accessory module,such as an accessory module of the type disclosed in commonly assignedU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 6,243,003; 6,278,377 and 6,420,975; U.S.patent applications, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynamet al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; U.S.patent application, Ser. No. 10/355,454, filed Jan. 31, 2003 bySchofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No.6,824,281; and/or International Publication No. WO 01/64481, publishedSep. 7, 2001 (Attorney Docket DON01 FP-869(PCT)), which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference. Optionally, the GPS control unit andtelematics control module and the accessories or components of theinterior assembly or mirror assembly or accessory or electronic moduleor the like may be connected to the vehicle electronic or communicationsystems and may be connected via other various protocols or nodes, suchas Bluetooth, SCP, UBP, J1850, CAN J2284, Fire Wire 1394, MOST and/orthe like, depending on the particular application of the communicationsystem of the present invention

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 3, a communication system 10′ maycomprise a GPS control unit 28′ and a GPS antenna 30′, which may bepositioned at or in or near the interior assembly 12, such as at or inor near the interior rearview mirror assembly or at or in an accessorymodule or attachment or windshield electronic module at or near orattached to or associated with an interior rearview mirror assembly orthe windshield of the vehicle, an overhead accessory console of thevehicle at or near or attached to or associated with a roof of avehicle, or an extension of a console of the vehicle or the like. TheGPS control unit 28′ may be connected to or in communication with theconnective or communication link or pathway or wires 22 and may utilizethe common connective link 22 to communicate a GPS-derived signal ordata to the vehicle-based telematics control module 16′ (which may notinclude a GPS control unit or circuitry or receiver), in order toprovide location data or other GPS-derived data to the telematicscontrol module. The GPS control unit 28′ may also communicate with theaccessory or display system 14 at or near or associated with theinterior assembly 12, as discussed above.

As also discussed above, the common connective link 22 may connect at orconvert to a LIN bus or the like at the keypad 24 at the interiorassembly or mirror assembly or accessory module or the like and at thetelematics control module 16. The bus or nodes 32 a, 32 b and link 22thus may transfer data from the GPS control unit 28′ to thevehicle-based telematics control module 16, while the nodes and link mayprovide the voltage supply and return signals to and from the keypad 24(or other HMI signals from a microphone or other human-machine interfaceor telematics accessory or device at or near or associated with theinterior assembly). The communication system of the present inventionthus may utilize the same or common wires or link or pathway tocommunicate HMI signals to provide control of the telematics controlmodule via user inputs at the interior assembly and to communicateGPS-derived data or signals to the vehicle-based telematics controlmodule from the GPS control unit at or near or associated with theinterior assembly.

Optionally, the GPS-derived data or signals communicated from the GPScontrol unit 28, 28′ may be superimposed on the common link or pathway22, such as via superimposing data or signals associated with orindicative of the GPS position or location or directional headinginformation on top of the voltage conditions associated with the keypad,such as via modulation or coding of the signals on the common wires orlink (whereby the LIN bus nodes or the like may not be necessary),without affecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, otherexisting wires or communication or connective links or pathways, such aswires or links between the telematics control module and a microphone(such as a microphone at the mirror assembly or accessory module at ornear or associated with the mirror assembly) or the like, may beutilized or shared by the telematics control module and the globalpositioning system control unit, such as in a similar manner asdescribed above. The common connective wires or links or pathways thusmay be shared by the telematics control module and the GPS control unitto provide the desired or appropriate voltage or signal or data to theappropriate accessory or device or system or display, without requiringseparate wires or communication links or pathways between the modules,units and/or systems of the communication system of the presentinvention.

Interior assembly 12 may include or may be associated with a compass ordirectional heading display system 14, which includes the directionalheading display 18. The directional heading display system 14 mayinclude or comprise compass sensors and circuitry 15, which function todetect a directional heading of the vehicle relative to the earth'smagnetic field, as is known in the art. The compass sensor may be anyknown sensor type, such as a magnetoresistive sensor (such as describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,802,727 and 6,513,252, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference), a magnetocapacitive sensor, a magnetoinductivesensor, or a flux-gate sensor or the like, without affecting the scopeof the present invention. The compass sensor may include a pair ofsensors positioned generally orthogonal to one another. The generallyorthogonal sensors are preferably oriented relative to the vehicle suchthat one of the sensors is generally parallel to the floor of thevehicle and pointing generally forwardly in the direction of travel ofthe vehicle, while the other is generally orthogonal or perpendicular tothe first sensor. The compass sensor or sensors provide an output signalto the compass processing circuitry, which is operable to process theoutput signal to determine the vehicle heading and to actuate or controlor adjust an output of directional heading display 18 in response to theoutput signal.

The compass sensors and/or circuitry 15 may be located on a printedcircuit board (PCB) that may be mounted or positioned or bonded alongthe rear surface of the mirror reflective element 12 a (FIG. 1) of theinterior rearview mirror assembly. Optionally, the compass system andcircuit board and circuitry may be positioned elsewhere in or at themirror assembly or in or at an accessory module or compass module or podor windshield electronic module associated with or positioned near or ator attached to the interior rearview mirror assembly (such as describedin U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 byWeller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,004,593, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference),without affecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, thecircuitry may be located or applied or printed directly on thereflective element, such as in the manner described in U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 10/956,749, filed Oct. 1, 2004 by Schofield forMIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMPONENT, whichis hereby incorporated herein by reference. The printed circuit board orreflective element assembly may include all of the processing circuitryand the compass sensor. Such processing circuitry may includecompensation methods known in the art, such as described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,546,551; 5,699,044; 4,953,305; 5,576,687; 5,632,092; 5,644,851;5,708,410; 5,737,226; 5,802,727; 5,878,370; 6,087,953; 6,173,501; and6,222,460, and U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/999,429, filed Nov.15, 2001 by DeLine et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEMINCORPORATING A DIRECTIONAL INFORMATION DISPLAY, now U.S. Pat. No.6,642,851, and European patent application, published Oct. 11, 2000under Publication No. EP 0 1043566, which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

Optionally, the compass circuitry or sensors may be attached to orpositioned at the reflective element of the mirror assembly and thus maybe movable with the reflective element when a user adjusts the mirrorassembly to provide the desired rearward viewing. It is envisioned thatsuch sensors or circuitry may be positioned at the reflective element ofa memory mirror system, such that the movement of the reflective elementmay be tracked by the system and the orientation of the sensors thus maybe known to the system. The system may determine the orientation of thesensors and/or mirror assembly and thus may calculate or compensate forthe change to the orientation or azimuth of the compass sensors todetermine the correct vehicle heading. The system may be initially setup with an initial setting that corresponds to an initial position ororientation of the compass sensors, and then adjustment of thereflective element by the adjustment mechanism of the memory system maybe tracked and/or determined as the mirror assembly is adjusted. Such anapplication is particularly suitable for memory mirror systems,particularly where the reflective element is movable relative to a fixedhousing or casing or the like.

The GPS control unit 28, 28′ may be operable to provide GPS-deriveddirectional heading information that is auxiliary to the compass systemsensors and circuitry (so that the GPS control unit may assist inproviding GPS-derived directional heading data or information at thedirectional heading display 18 in situations where the compass sensorsand circuitry are not yet calibrated or are adversely affected by theirsurroundings). For example, the compass sensors (such asmagnetoresistive sensors or magnetoinductive sensors or the like) orcompass circuitry or system of the communication system of the presentinvention may be operable in communication or cooperation with circuitryand components of the GPS control unit, such as described in U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al.for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No.7,004,593, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. TheGPS-derived locational or directional heading data or signals providedby the global positioning system control unit to the directional headingdisplay system may include longitudinal and latitudinal locational orposition data and may include height or altitude data, so that a vehiclelocation in three dimensional space may be established. The GPS-derivedlocational data or directional heading data or signals may be providedto the compass circuitry or system to facilitate calibration of thecompass system or to provide directional heading data or information tothe compass system in situations where the compass sensors may beadversely affected by external or local magnetic anomalies at or nearthe vehicle. Other GPS-derived data or information (such as time dataand/or the like) may also or otherwise be provided to the directionalheading display system or to another mirror-based or module-based systemand/or display, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, the compass system or sensors may be operable as anauxiliary system to the global positioning system control unit of thevehicle, which may be operable to provide the primary directionalheading data or signal to the directional heading display. For example,the magnetoresponsive compass sensor or circuitry responsive to theearth's magnetic field may be operable in conjunction with the globalpositioning system control module to provide directional heading data tothe global positioning system, such as disclosed in U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 10/422,378, filed Apr. 24, 2003 by Schofield forIMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,978, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. The compass sensor/circuitry mayprovide such directional heading data to assist the global positioningsystem in maintaining tracking of the location of the vehicle, such asbetween waypoints or the like, when the satellite signal to the globalpositioning system is interrupted, such as may occur in cities betweentall buildings (often referred to as “urban canyons”) or the like. Othervehicle movement data may also be provided, such as vehicle speed dataor vehicle odometer data or the like, to further assist in determiningand tracking the location of the vehicle in situations where thesatellite communication to the global positioning system of the vehiclemay be temporarily interrupted or compromised. Optionally, an imagingsystem (such as described in U.S. patent application, Ser. No.10/422,378, filed Apr. 24, 2003 by Schofield for IMAGING SYSTEM FORVEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,978, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference) may be used to further assist in determining andtracking the location of the vehicle in situations where the satellitecommunication to the global positioning system may be temporarilyinterrupted or compromised. Because the magnetoresponsive sensor maythus be an auxiliary sensor to the main or primary GPS-based directionalheading system, algorithms and complexities known for compasscalibration and/or for obviation of vehicle deviating fields and/or forobviation of the affects of stray external magnetic anomalies (and/orfor compensation of deviations in vehicle magnetic fields, such as mayoccur as the vehicle ages or the like) need not be utilized.

Alternately, the global positioning system control unit can serve as thesole directional sensing means and may be connected to or incommunication with the directional heading display 18, and thus mayobviate the need for a magnetoresponsive sensor or the like andassociated circuitry that detect the local earth's magnetic fields, suchas described in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun.6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention.

In such navigational or GPS-derived or GPS-based directional headingsystems, the directional heading deduced may not be affected by vehiclesheet metal or local magnetic anomalies (such as bridges, signs, etc.).This is because the directional heading is deduced from signals, such asradio frequency signals or microwave signals or the like received fromsatellites, which are not affected by such local magnetic anomalies.Thus, traditional calibration and re-calibration of the compass systemmay not be needed, nor may there be any need to compensate for anyvehicle magnetic field or change thereto over the lifetime of usage ofthe vehicle.

Likewise, such a system does not require a zone input to set the compasssystem to the appropriate zone, since the GPS-derived data will indicatethe geographic location of the vehicle irrespective of which zone thevehicle is in. It is envisioned that such a GPS-derived compass systemmay determine or deduce the directional heading as degrees from aparticular direction, such as, for example, 42 degrees from a Northheading or the like, and thus the directional heading output of theGPS-derived compass system may be displayed as degrees to provide a moreaccurate representation to the driver or occupant of the vehicle as tothe actual directional heading of the vehicle.

The directional heading display 18 may provide directional headinginformation to a driver or occupant of the vehicle, such as at thereflective element 12 a of the interior rearview mirror assembly, andmay be viewable through the reflective element by the driver or occupantof the vehicle. Directional heading display 18 may comprise any type ofdisplay for displaying directional heading information to the driver oroccupant of the vehicle. For example, the display may comprise aplurality of ports (such as ports or windows in the form of directionalheading characters, such as N, S, E, W or N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW orthe like) formed in the reflective coating of the reflective element.The display may include a plurality of illumination sources positionedbehind and aligned with respective ports, such as disclosed in U.S.patent applications, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Welleret al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,004,593; and Ser. No. 10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas etal. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860;and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 byDonnelly Corp. et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and publishedDec. 2, 2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/103772, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

For example, the display may include four or eight illumination sources(preferably light emitting diodes) mounted on a printed circuit boardand with the printed circuit board arranged behind the reflectiveelement such that each of the individual illumination sources is behindand aligned with a respective one of the ports (which may be formed asthe characters N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) formed or etched in thereflective coating of the reflective element. Each of the illuminationsources may be positioned on the printed circuit board such that it isaligned with, behind and emitting through a respective one of the ports(that are preferably created on the reflective element itself). Examplesof such displays are described in U.S. patent application, Ser. No.10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593; and Ser. No.10/933,842, filed Sep. 3, 2004 by Kulas et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,860; and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US2004/015424, filed May 18, 2004 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forMIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE, and published Dec. 2, 2004 as InternationalPublication No. WO 2004/103772, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

Optionally, the display may comprise other types of display elements andmay be positioned at and viewable through the reflective element, suchas at a display window or port at the reflective element. The window maybe formed at the reflective element by etching or otherwise forming awindow or port at the appropriate location in the reflective coating orlayer of the reflective element. Optionally, the window or ports may beformed or defined by a variation in the physical thicknesses orrefractive indices or characteristics of multiple reflective elementlayers or coatings to provide for selective transmission of theillumination emitted by the display elements while reflecting otherlight, such as described in PCT Application No. PCT/US03/29776, filedSep. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation et al. for MIRROR REFLECTIVEELEMENT ASSEMBLY, and published Apr. 1, 2004 as InternationalPublication No. WO 2004/026633, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. Optionally, a light diffuser and/or a spectral filter may beinterposed between the light source and the rear of the reflectiveelement. The compass processing circuitry (that typically includesdigital circuitry including a microprocessor running compensation andother compass-related software) may be operable to energize or actuateone or more illumination sources or elements to display the directionalheading of the vehicle to the driver. Optionally, the display maycomprise other types of displays, such as alphanumeric characters or thelike that may be adjusted or controlled to display the appropriatedirectional information, without affecting the scope of the presentinvention. The illumination sources or display elements may be mountedon a printed circuit board and the reflective element and printedcircuit board may be incorporated, such as by snapping into place, on orwithin the casing of the mirror assembly, with minimal invasiveness tothe casing and overall design and tooling of the mirror assembly.

Optionally, the communications or telematics system, such as ONSTAR® orthe like, may function to receive traffic flow data or information andmay provide such information to the driver of the subject vehicle. Forexample, the vehicle may include or provide a highway/roadmanagement/monitoring system that is operable to provide trafficinformation and alternate routes to a driver of a vehicle via thetelematics system of the vehicle. The remote telematics concierge baseor center or operator may receive traffic information from a trafficmonitoring system. For example, such a traffic monitoring system maycollect traffic information via cameras or the like positioned along ahighway or road and may communicate traffic information (such as trafficcongestion or accidents or stalled vehicles, etc.) in vehicles alongthat road or approaching that road via signs and displays positionedalong that road or on other roads near or associated with that roadand/or that communicate traffic flow/density data togovernmental/municipal agencies and bodies (such systems are known inthe art and implemented along many highways and freeways). Thetelematics operator/service may receive the traffic information from themonitoring system and may communicate such traffic information to thedriver of the vehicle if the vehicle is heading toward a congested area.The information may be automatically provided to the driver of thevehicle (such as via a display or alert to the driver if the vehicle isheading toward a congested or backed up road or area, where the alertmay be provided in response to a detection of the vehicle heading andlocation such as via a global positioning system or the like) or may beprovided in response to a request from the driver of the vehicle. Forexample, if a driver requests from the telematics operator directions toa particular location (such as to a restaurant or the like), thetelematics operator may check the traffic information along thepreferred route and inform the driver of the traffic condition alongthat route, and may provide an alternate route if the traffic conditionsare unfavorable.

The telematics system thus may assist the driver of the vehicle inavoiding unfavorable traffic conditions, such as due to backups orconstruction or accidents or the like. The information may be spoken tothe driver by the telematics operator or may be provided via a display,such as an image display of the traffic conditions or a text display oriconistic display or the like, that alerts the driver to the unfavorabletraffic conditions. The driver thus may be provided with variablerouting information or directions to the desired location, depending onthe traffic conditions along the preferred or optional or possibleroutes.

Optionally, the telematics system or concierge service may be operableto provide weather information or data to the vehicle to display orcommunicate the current weather at a selected destination and/or aweather forecast at the present vehicle location or selecteddestination. Such a weather service or function may be selected as anoption with the concierge service and paid for by the user or owner ofthe vehicle. The user or driver of the vehicle may select such a featureand may notify the telematics operator of the desired information,whereby the operator or service may provide the requested information ordata to the vehicle. The requested weather data may be provided when therequest is made or, if desired, may be provided at a later time. Forexample, the driver may request the weather data and/or weather updateand/or forecast for a particular destination and may request suchinformation when the vehicle is approaching the destination, such aswhen the vehicle is about a half hour away from the destination or atsome other time or distance from the destination. The telematics orconcierge service may then communicate the requested weather data to thevehicle when the vehicle is at the appropriate time or distance from thedestination. For example, a video slide out display (such as describedbelow) may automatically extend and display the weather information atthe appropriate time or location. Such a provision of weather data maybe automatically provided when the telematics system detects the vehicleat the appropriate time or distance from the destination (such as via aglobal positioning system or the like) and may be audibly or visually(such as on a video display screen, such as a screen that mayautomatically extend (such as described below) to display suchinformation at the appropriate time/location) conveyed/communicated tothe driver of the vehicle.

Optionally, the telematics system and display may be operable to displayweather warnings and the like, such as tornado warnings or the like,when an emergency situation exists.

For example, the telematics service may receive a tornado warning froman emergency broadcast network or system and may provide notificationand/or details of such a warning to the vehicle via the communicationsystem and/or display of the vehicle. When such a warning is detectedfor a particular area, the telematics service may alert the vehicle ifthe vehicle is in that particular area, and may provide instructions asto how to avoid or leave the dangerous condition or otherwise how to actor where to go to minimize the danger. It is envisioned that such afeature or function may be offered as an option to users of thetelematics service, and the service may communicate or send out such awarning or alert to all vehicles in the effected area that have thatfeature or function or option as selected by the owners or users of thevehicles.

Optionally, and similarly, the telematics service may be operable toprovide other warnings or alerts to the vehicle or vehicles. Forexample, the service may provide train information pertaining to a trainon railroad tracks that the vehicle is approaching. The telematicsservice may provide a warning that the train is approaching a crossingahead of the vehicle (such as may be determined via global positioningsystems of the train and the subject vehicle) or other information thatmay be desired. The train information may be obtained by utilizingaspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268 and6,553,308 and/or U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/755,915, filedJan. 13, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1133), and Ser. No. 09/585,379,filed Jun. 1, 2000, and Ser. No. 10/307,929, filed Dec. 2, 2002, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,902,284, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

Optionally, the telematics system and display may be operable toautomatically display other information to the driver of the vehicle,such as personal data or appointment data, such as may be downloaded viaa PDA or other planner or the like. The data, such as an alert orreminder that it is almost time for a scheduled appointment or the like,may be automatically provided to the driver at the appropriate orelected time (such as fifteen minutes before an appointment), and may beprovided via automatic extension and activation of a display screen,such as described below.

Optionally, the telematics system and display may be operable to providehome security or home status or home utility information or data to thedriver of the vehicle when the vehicle and driver are away from home.For example, the telematics service may receive information or signalsfrom a home security system and may alert the driver of the vehicle whenthe home security system is triggered. Thus, if an alarm is activated athome, the driver may be alerted of the situation and may take theappropriate action. It is envisioned that a display or video imagecaptured by a security camera at the home may be fed to the telematicsservice and thus may be fed to the vehicle display and displayed to thedriver if desired (such as automatically or in response to a user inputor election by the driver when the driver receives the alert ornotification of the alarm being activated).

Optionally, the vehicle may include an accessory module or windshieldelectronic module positioned at or near or associated with thewindshield of the vehicle. The accessory module may comprise any type ofaccessory module or windshield electronics module or console, such asthe types described in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/355,454,filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Schofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281; and Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593, and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 6,250,148;6,341,523; 6,593,565; and 6,326,613, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. et al. forACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/058540, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference.

The windshield electronic module and/or accessory module and/or interiorrearview mirror assembly (or a compass pod or module or an accessorymodule associated with the mirror assembly) may include one or moreaccessories, such as one or more camera-based or imaging systems, suchas a rain sensor (such as the type disclosed in commonly assigned U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,320,176; 6,353,392 and 6,313,454, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference), an image sensor (such as a videocamera or imaging sensor, such as a CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCDsensor or the like, such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 6,097,023 and 5,796,094, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference), or any other sensor or device. Forexample, the module or mirror assembly may include a forward facingvideo image sensor or system, which may include an intelligent rainsensor (such as the type disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.6,320,176; 6,353,392 and 6,313,454, which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference), an image or vision system (including an imaging sensor,such as a video camera, such as a CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCDsensor or the like, such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 6,097,023 and 5,796,094, and U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 10/422,378, filed Apr. 24, 2003 by Schofield forIMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,978, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference), an intelligent headlampcontroller (such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,094 and/orin U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/355,454, filed Jan. 31, 2003 bySchofield et al. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No.6,824,281, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference), anintelligent lane departure warning system or object detection system,such as the type disclosed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No.10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003 by Pawlicki et al. for OBJECT DETECTIONSYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, and/or the like. Optionally, the lanedeparture warning system may determine weaving or drifting of thevehicle across the lane markers along the road surface and may utilizesuch information to determine a driver condition or the like. Theimaging sensor and/or control circuitry of the mirror assembly may beincorporated into or operable in conjunction with a vision system orimaging system of the vehicle, such as a rearwardly directed vehiclevision system utilizing principles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,550,677; 5,760,962; 5,670,935; 6,201,642; 6,717,610; and/or 6,757,109,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, a trailer hitchingaid or tow check system, such as the type disclosed in U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 10/418,486, filed Apr. 18, 2003 by McMahon et al.for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, a cabin viewing device or system, suchas a baby viewing or rear seat viewing camera or device or system or thelike, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and 6,690,268, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference, a video communicationdevice or system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference, and/or the like.

Optionally, a headlamp control system of the vehicle may include animage sensor that is directed forwardly with a forward field of view.The headlamp control system may detect objects and light sources ofinterest in the forward field of view and may adjust a headlamp beamsetting in response to such detections, and may utilize aspects of theheadlamp control systems and imaging systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,550,677; 6,097,023; 5,796,094; 6,320,176; 6,353,392; 6,313,454;5,760,962; 5,670,935; 6,201,642; 5,877,897; 6,690,268; 6,717,610; and/or6,757,109, and/or U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/422,378, filedApr. 24, 2003 by Schofield for IMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,946,978; Ser. No. 10/355,454, filed Jan. 31, 2003 by Schofield etal. for VEHICLE ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,281; Ser. No.10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003 by Pawlicki et al. for OBJECT DETECTIONSYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577; Ser. No. 10/418,486,filed Apr. 18, 2003 by McMahon et al. for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, and/or U.S. provisional application, Ser. No.60/562,480, filed Apr. 15, 2004 by Schofield for IMAGING SYSTEM FORVEHICLE; and Ser. No. 60/607,963, filed Sep. 8, 2004 by Schofield forIMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, which are all hereby incorporated herein byreference.

Optionally, the imaging system may include a far infrared sensor orcamera that is positioned at the vehicle and facing forwardly with aforward facing field of view. Such thermal imaging night vision systemsare known, and preferably comprise a microbolometer array or equivalent.The far infrared sensor may be positioned exteriorly of the vehicle andmay detect or sense heat sources or light sources emitting far infraredradiation or energy (such as far infrared radiation having wavelengthsin the range of approximately 8-14 microns or thereabouts) in theforward field of view. Such thermal imaging night vision systemsdistinguish objects and people based on their thermal profile/differencecompared to the background. The far infrared sensor thus may function todetect tail pipes and grills of other vehicles in the forward field ofview (as these will be hotter than adjacent structure/parts of oncomingor leading vehicles) and the thermal image produced may be processed byan automatic headlamp controller that may utilize such information todetermine if another vehicle is in the forward field of view (bydistinguishing an oncoming vehicle grill or a hot exhaust tail pipebeing approached) or even if a detected “hot spot” is a headlamp ortaillight of a vehicle or the like. The headlamp controller thus mayutilize such a far infrared sensor or heat sensor for a headlamp controlfunction, such as changing from a high beam headlight condition to a lowbeam headlight condition when the hot grill of an approaching vehicle isdetected, or the data from the thermal imaging system can be used tocontrol an adaptive lighting function of the vehicle.

Optionally, such a far infrared sensor may also or otherwise be utilizedin connection with a vision system, particularly for a night visionsystem or the like. Thus, the head lamp control function can be providedas an off-shoot of a night vision system (whether an active night visionsystem where the forward scene is illuminated with infrared lighting ora passive night vision system where the thermal emissions of the bodiesbeing viewed are detected). Another functionality preferably combined islane marker detection to provide a lane departure warning functionality.More preferably, a combined night vision functionality, automatic HI/LOWbeam headlamp control functionality and lane departure warningcapability is provided using the same forward facing imager array orcamera. Other functionalities, such as adaptive cruise control, signrecognition, rain/fog sensing and pedestrian/object detection and thelike, can be include with a forward facing vision system, and byutilizing the one camera or image sensor or imaging array.

Optionally, the windshield electronic module and/or accessory moduleand/or interior rearview mirror assembly (or a compass pod or module oran accessory module associated with the mirror assembly) may include ormay be associated with other accessories, such as one or more electricalor electronic devices or accessories, such as antennas, including globalpositioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas, such as the typedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module, such asthe type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, a voice recorder, adigital network, such as the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575,transmitters and/or receivers, such as a garage door opener or the like,such as the types described in U.S. patent application, Ser. No.10/770,736, filed Feb. 3, 2004 by Baumgardner et al. for GARAGE DOOROPENING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,023,322, and/or U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,396,408; 6,362,771; and 5,798,688 (and may provide a storagecompartment, such as for storing a hand held garage door opening deviceor transmitting device or the like), a digital network, such as the typedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a memory mirror system, such asthe type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phoneattachment, a video device for internal cabin surveillance and/or videotelephone function, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,760,962 and/or 5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, a videomirror system, such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,690,268; 6,428,172 and 6,420,975, and U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 09/585,379, filed Jun. 1, 2000 for REARVIEW MIRRORASSEMBLY WITH UTILITY FUNCTIONS; and Ser. No. 10/307,929, filed Dec. 2,2002 by Hutzel et al. for AN INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM INCLUDING APENDENT ACCESSORY, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,284, lights, such as mapreading lights or one or more other lights or illumination sources, suchas the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,321; 5,813,745;5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; 5,178,448; 5,671,996; 4,646,210;4,733,336; 4,807,096; 6,690,268; 6,042,253; and/or 5,669,698, and/orU.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 byLynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381,microphones, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003;6,278,377; and/or 6,420,975, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/30877,filed Oct. 1, 2003, and published Apr. 15, 2004 as InternationalPublication No. WO 2004/032568, speakers, a compass or compass system(which may include the compass sensing circuitry), such as the typesdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,924,212; 4,862,594; 4,937,945; 5,131,154;5,255,442; and/or 5,632,092, and/or U.S. patent application, Ser. No.10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEWMIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593, a navigationsystem, such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,678,614 and6,477,464, and U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun.6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITHCOMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593; Ser. No. 10/645,762, filed Aug.20, 2003 by Taylor et al. for VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH ATELEMATICS SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,167,796; and Ser. No. 10/422,378,filed Apr. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,946,978, a tire pressuremonitoring system, such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,731,205; 6,294,989; 6,124,647; 6,445,287; and/or 6,472,979, and/orU.S. provisional application, Ser. No. 60/611,796, filed Sep. 21, 2004by O'Brien for TIRE PRESSURE ALERT SYSTEM, a seat occupancy detector, atrip computer, a remote starter control, a yaw sensor, a clock, a carbonmonoxide detector, a temperature sensor (such as a contact temperaturesensor for measuring the temperature at or of the windshield), anantenna, status displays, such as displays that display a status of adoor of the vehicle, a transmission selection (4wd/2wd or tractioncontrol (TCS) or the like), an antilock braking system, a road condition(that may warn the driver of icy road conditions), and/or any otherdesired accessory or system or the like (with all of theabove-referenced patents and patent applications and provisionalapplications and PCT applications being commonly assigned to DonnellyCorporation, and with the disclosures of all of the above referencedpatents and patent applications and provisional applications and PCTapplications being hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties).

Optionally, the windshield electronic module and/or accessory moduleand/or interior rearview mirror assembly (or a compass pod or module oran accessory module associated with the mirror assembly) may include adisplay element, such as a video display element or the like, that maybe viewable by a driver or occupant of the vehicle, such as to viewvehicle information or captured images, such as images captured by animaging system of the vehicle. For example, the display element mayslide out or flip up or down from the housing or casing of the mirrorassembly to provide a video screen that is viewable by the driver of thevehicle, such as a video display screen of the type described in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15,2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference. The video display screen may beoperable to display information to the driver of the vehicle, and may beincorporated into or may be in communication with a vision system orimaging system of the vehicle, such as a rearwardly directed vehiclevision system utilizing principles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,550,677; 5,760,962; 5,670,935; 6,201,642; 6,717,610; and/or 6,757,109,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, a trailer hitchingaid or tow check system, such as the type disclosed in U.S. patentapplication, Ser. No. 10/418,486, filed Apr. 18, 2003 by McMahon et al.for VEHICLE IMAGING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,005,974, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, a cabin viewing device or system, suchas a baby viewing or rear seat viewing camera or device or system or thelike, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,877,897 and 6,690,268, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference, a video communicationdevice or system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference, and/or the like. Optionally,the video display screen may also or otherwise serve as a screen for anavigation system of the vehicle or the like, such as a GPS-basednavigation system, such as is known in the automotive art.

Optionally, the video display, such as in a mirror assembly or accessorymodule or pod or the like in the vehicle, may be operable orcontrollable to provide a text or image display of the vehicle's ownersmanual or the user manual or the like for the vehicle or othercomponents or systems or accessories of the vehicle. The display orvideo mirror (or module or the like) may provide to a user the abilityto pull up the user's manual and scroll through the different sectionsor portions of the manual. The display thus provides the informationfrom the user's manual to the user or driver of the vehicle at themirror or module and allows the user to scroll through the manual andselect the desired section or topic to obtain the desired information,such as, for example, the instructions on how to control or adjust orset the radio and/or clock settings of the vehicle or the like.

It is further envisioned that the display may supplement the user'smanual images or text or information with a video clip or animation orthe like showing the user how to perform the desired task, such asadjusting or controlling an accessory or repairing an accessory orcomponent or the like. For example, if a user selects the section onsetting the clock of the vehicle, the user may read the instructions onhow to set the clock, and then may view a video or animation of a personsetting the clock. The display thus provides the desired instructionsand information along with images or video clips of the instructionsbeing carried out to enhance the instructions to the user or driver ofthe vehicle.

Optionally, the manual or information or video clips may include avehicle orientation video that a user may watch shortly after purchasingtheir vehicle to learn about many of the features or accessories of thevehicle. Optionally, the display and selection of particular sections ofthe manual may be linked to the activation of a vehicle warning or faultindication, such as a low or flat tire inflation detection or adetection of an inactive or burned out or failed signal light ortaillight or headlamp or the like. The display thus may provide aservice instruction or repair instruction or help function, and maydisplay the appropriate portion or section of the manual (which may showinstructions or video clips on how to correct or repair or replace thedetected fault or item) or other appropriate message (such as an alertto take the vehicle in for service or repair) automatically in responseto a detection of a vehicle warning or fault or alert. For example, if aflat tire is detected, such as by a tire pressure monitoring system ofthe vehicle, the display may automatically display an alert and maydisplay the section of the manual that shows how to change a tire of thevehicle.

Optionally, the display may provide, such as in connection with thetelematics system or telematics or concierge service described above,instructions on where to go to have the tire repaired or where to go tohave the failed light replaced or where to go to purchase a new light(along with instructions as to how to replace the light) or the like. Itis envisioned that additional information pertaining to the repair shopsor stores in the area of the vehicle may be provided via the telematicsservice. For example, directional instructions to the store may beprovided along with a price or sale at the store for the damaged orfailed item. The display may initially display only the alert that theitem failed, and may display more details if such details are requestedby the driver or user. It is envisioned that the display may havemultiple levels of details or messages or information so that the driveror user may select and view more details or deeper messages only whensuch additional details are desired. Optionally, if desired or selected,the display may extend and display further information as the vehicleapproaches the store or service station to remind the driver and/orprovide additional instructions.

Optionally, the display may automatically display the particular orappropriate section or portion of the owner's or user's manual after thedetection of the fault or error or problem and only after the vehicle isshifted into park (or when the vehicle slows to a threshold speed, suchas at or below about 5 to 10 miles per hour or thereabouts), so that thedisplay does not distract the driver of the vehicle while the vehicle isbeing driven. Optionally, the display may display the particular orappropriate section or portion of the manual after the detection of thefault or error or problem and after a user actuates a user input at thedisplay (or elsewhere in the vehicle), so that a user may view thedisplayed information even while the vehicle is being driven oroperated, if desired. Optionally, the display screen may partiallyextend from a housing (such as from the mirror assembly or accessorymodule of the vehicle, such as a display of the types described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,690,268 and/or U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/755,915,filed Jan. 13, 2004 (Attorney Docket DON01 P-1133) and/or PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by DonnellyCorporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15,2004 as International Publication No. WO 2004/058540, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference) to provide an initial indication oralert to the driver, and may extend substantially or fully to displaythe instructions or message or video clip or the like in response to auser input or command by the driver upon seeing the initial indicationor alert (such as described below). Optionally, if the user does notdepress or actuate the user input, the display may automaticallyactivate and display the appropriate information and/or images when thevehicle is shifted into park (or slows to a threshold speed, such as ator below about 5 to 10 miles per hour or thereabouts) following thedetection or warning signal.

The owner's or user's manual or instructions and/or video images orclips may be downloaded and stored in a processor or control of thedisplay or of the vehicle and may be uploaded and viewed as desired.Optionally, the instructions and/or video images may be downloaded ondemand or as requested by a user, such as via the telematics system ofthe vehicle. For example, a user may scroll through a menu and select adesired function or feature of the vehicle from the menu, whereby thetelematics system may download the instructions or manual and/or videoclip for the desired function or feature from the remote telematicsbase.

The user may then view the instructions and/or video clip to learn howto control or adjust or set or repair the selected function or accessoryor component or the like of the vehicle.

Optionally, other information may be provided at the display, such asfirst aid information or instructions, that the driver or user mayscroll through and select the desired topic.

For example, if an accident or other health related emergency occurs,such as a vehicle crash or a snake bite or other injury or accident orillness, a user may access a first aid directory and scroll through thetopics displayed and select the appropriate instructions. The displaymay display the instructions and may provide a video clip or image oranimation to assist the user in understanding what to do to assist theinjured person. The display may provide an emergency contact numberand/or the communication system may provide a connection to theemergency contact if desired.

Optionally, the display may function as a video phone display, and mayprovide a display of call records or phone numbers or listings or thelike to the user as desired or selected by the user. The display may beconnected to a phone embedded in the vehicle or to a personal phoneconnected to the vehicle, such as via a Bluetooth connection or otherwireless connections. For example, and such as described in PCTApplication No. PCT/US03/40611, filed Dec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corp. etal. for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, and published Jul. 15, 2004 asInternational Publication No. WO 2004/058540, and/or U.S. provisionalapplication, Ser. No. 60/607,963, filed Sep. 8, 2004 by Schofield forIMAGING SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference, the accessory module and/or interior rearview mirror assemblyor system of the vehicle may include a hands free phone system anddisplay, and thus may include the interface driver, microphone ormicrophones, user inputs, speech recognition system and/or the like. Theaudio signal from the system of the module or mirror assembly ispreferably linked to the radio head, such as to a plug or connector atthe radio head that accepts external audio signals and mute signals. Thesystem thus may mute the audio and effectively take over the speakerswhen the phone is in use. This connection to the vehicle audio or radioor speaker system may utilize a communication link, such as a Bluetoothcommunication protocol or link. The signals from the mobile or cellularphone to the mirror assembly or accessory module may be communicated viaa Bluetooth link, while the signals from the mirror assembly oraccessory module to the radio head may also be communicated via aBluetooth link. The display, such as a transflective or display ondemand display, may display at least some of the phone information, suchas the number dialed, the incoming number, the status of the call,strength of signal, phone book, messages, and/or the like. Althoughdescribed as utilizing a Bluetooth communication link or protocol, othercommunication links may be implemented, such as other short/restrictedrange radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR) communication protocol.Optionally, the display may provide a video teleconferencing functionwhen the telephone or communication system is connected to another videocommunication device. Optionally, and desirably, the display may onlyfunction in the video teleconference mode when the vehicle is in park orslowed to at or below a threshold speed, such as at or below 5 to 10miles per hour or thereabouts.

Optionally, the display may comprise a video display screen that mayslide out or flip up or down from the housing or casing of the mirrorassembly to provide a video screen that is viewable by the driver of thevehicle, such as a video display screen of the type described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,690,268 and/or U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/755,915,filed Jan. 13, 2004 and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US03/40611, filedDec. 19, 2003 by Donnelly Corporation for ACCESSORY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE,and published Jul. 15, 2004 as International Publication No. WO2004/058540, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Thevideo display screen may substantially or fully extend (such as from aside of the mirror assembly and toward the passenger side of thevehicle) to display images to the driver, such as images captured by arearward facing camera or imaging sensor to provide a backup aid to thedriver of the vehicle. In such an application, the display screen maysubstantially or fully extend to provide such images in response to thevehicle being shifted to reverse. When the vehicle is shifted out ofreverse, the display screen retracts so that it is not readily viewableby the driver.

Optionally, the display screen may be operable to partially orsubstantially (but not entirely) retract so that a portion of thedisplay screen remains viewable by the driver of the vehicle. Theviewable partial display screen may provide an alert signal, such as anicon or indicator or display or the like, at the partially extended andviewable portion of the display to alert the driver of a particularcondition or situation or message or the like. Optionally, the displayscreen may be operable to partially retract from an extended positionand/or to partially extend from a fully retracted position to providesuch an alert signal or indication as described below.

Optionally, the display screen may provide an initial informationdisplay or alert that triggers further use of the display screen ifdesired by the user or driver. The alert indication may alert the driverof a condition or situation or event or the like (such as an indicationof a received email message or phone message or the like or anindication of a sensed condition of the vehicle, such as, for example, adetection of an approaching waypoint of a navigation route or a changein tire pressure or the like), and the driver of the vehicle may beinvited to respond to the initial display or alert and have the displayscreen fully extend to display the rest of the message or to display amessage or information relating to or associated with the initialdisplay or alert (for example, such as a description of a missedwaypoint and instructions how to get back on course or such as adescription of which tire pressure is low and what the pressure is inthat tire). For example, the display screen may extend to alert thedriver that an email message or phone message or voice message has beenreceived, such as by displaying a message or icon that conveys to thedriver or informs the driver of such a condition. The driver may thenelect to view the email message (or view information or the likeassociated with the alert) by providing a user input, such as a voicecommand or a touch input or the like, whereby the display screen mayfully extend in response to the user input and may display the emailmessage or call records or other information or the like associated withthe initial alert.

The display screen thus may provide an alert or indication to the driverof a condition or event or situation, and the driver may elect to see orlearn more about the condition or event or situation via a user input orcommand. The display screen thus alerts the driver of certain conditionsor events or situations and provides details of such conditions orevents or situations only when directed to by the driver or occupant ofthe vehicle.

Optionally, and desirably, the display screen may extend only a small ormodest amount from the mirror assembly (or from an accessory module orthe like) when in the alert mode. For example, the display screen mayextend toward the passenger side of the vehicle approximately ¼ to ½inch or thereabouts when in the alert mode. The initial extension of thedisplay screen thus may be sufficient to display an icon or other alertindication, but small enough so as to not interfere with the forwardfield of view of the driver. If the driver elects to view the associatedmessage or information or the like, the driver may provide theappropriate input or command, whereby the display screen may extend thefull amount from the mirror assembly or accessory module (such asapproximately 2½ to 3 inches or thereabouts) and may display theassociated information or message or the like.

Optionally, the alert display or message availability function may beprovided by the viewable portion of the display screen that is partiallyextended when the display is activated in the alert mode. For example,the viewable portion of the display (or the entire display) may flash aparticular color or provide other indication of the alert. Alternately,one or more indicators, such as light emitting diodes or the like, maybe positioned at or along the outer edge or bezel of the display or ator along a bezel or casing of the mirror assembly or accessory module orthe like, and may be activated or flashed to alert the driver of analert condition. Optionally, the alert or indication may be provided atthe mirror reflective element, such as via an icon or the like at adisplay of the mirror assembly, such as a display on demand ortransflective type of display or the like. The driver may then activatethe user input or display to have the display extend and display themessage or instructions or the like in response to recognition of theactivated or flashing indicator or display.

Optionally, the display screen may be selectively operable in one ormore alert modes, where the display screen provides the alert indicationor partial extension of the display screen for elected functions orconditions or events or the like. For example, a user or driver mayselect an email alert feature and/or a phone call alert feature and/or avoice message alert feature and/or a navigational aid alert feature orthe like, and the display screen may provide the partial extension andalert indication for only the features or events or conditions selectedby the user or driver. Such selection may be made by the driver at anytime, such as when the driver initially purchases the vehicle or setsthe vehicle settings to his or her desired preferences. Alternately, thedisplay screen may be automatically operable in the alert mode toprovide alert indications for a preselected set of features orconditions or events or the like (which may be preset for the particularvehicle or may be optionally selected and preset when ordering ormanufacturing the vehicle or the like), without affecting the scope ofthe present invention.

The present invention thus provides a vehicle communication system thatincludes an interior assembly that includes a human-machine interface oraccessory or device that is associated with and in communication with avehicle-based or in-vehicle communication or telematics control unit ormodule via a connective link or pathway between the interior assembly(such as an interior rearview mirror assembly or module or pod orattachment at or near or associated with the mirror assembly) and thetelematics control module in the vehicle. The connective link or pathwaymay comprise an existing wire or link that connects the human-machineinterface (such as user actuatable inputs or microphones or the like) atthe interior assembly to the in-vehicle telematics control module. Thecommunication system includes a global positioning system control unitthat is operable to provide GPS-derived vehicle location or position ordirectional heading data or signals and/or the like to at least one ofthe in-vehicle telematics control module and the interior assembly (suchas to a directional heading display at the interior assembly forproviding directional heading information to a driver or occupant of thevehicle) via the existing common connective link or pathway. Theconnective link provides a common link for communicating HMI signals andGPS-derived signals or data via the same link or pathway. The globalpositioning system unit may comprise a vehicle-based or telematics-basedor in-vehicle GPS control unit that is positioned in or at or near or isotherwise associated with the in-vehicle telematics control module,whereby the GPS control unit may access and share and utilize the commonconnective link to communicate GPS-derived data or signals to theinterior assembly, while the common connective link may provide HMIsignals to the telematics control module from the human-machineinterface at the interior assembly. Alternately, the GPS control unitmay be positioned in or at or near or may be otherwise associated withthe interior assembly, whereby the GPS control unit may access and shareand utilize the common connective link to communicate GPS-derived dataor signals to the in-vehicle telematics module, while the commonconnective link may provide HMI signals to the telematics control modulefrom the human-machine interface at the interior assembly.

Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle communication systemthat utilizes a single or common connective link or pathway to providecommunication of HMI signals from the interior assembly to thein-vehicle communication or telematics control module and to providecommunication of GPS-derived signals or data from a GPS control unit toeither the interior assembly or the in-vehicle telematics control moduleremote from the interior assembly. The present invention thus providesan effective common connection between distinct accessories or systems,without requiring separate links or wires, and thus provides such acommon connection without disturbing or adversely affecting the currentor existing vehicle wiring and vehicle architecture or structure. Thepresent invention thus provides a reduced cost option of providingGPS-derived data or signals to the interior assembly in applicationswhere the in-vehicle telematics control module includes the GPS controlunit and the interior assembly includes a human-machine interfaceassociated with the telematics control module. The present inventionalso provides enhanced performance of a global positioning system bypositioning the GPS control unit and antenna at a preferred location(such as at the mirror assembly or module generally at the windshield ofthe vehicle), while providing communication of GPS-derived data orsignals to the vehicle-based telematics control module via an existingand common wiring or link between the in-vehicle telematics controlmodule and a human-machine interface of the communication system at ornear the interior assembly. The GPS control unit thus may be removedfrom the vehicle-based telematics control module and placed at thedesired location without requiring additional wiring between thein-vehicle telematics control module and the remote GPS control unit.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments canbe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interiorassembly; an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle andremote from said interior assembly; a wired connective link electricallyconnecting said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communicationcontrol; a human-machine interface located at said interior assembly,said human-machine interface being connected to said in-vehiclecommunication control via said connective link to communicate at leastone human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interfaceand said in-vehicle communication control; a global positioning systemcontrol in the vehicle, said global positioning system controlcommunicating at least one GPS-derived signal to one of said interiorassembly and said in-vehicle communication control via said connectivelink, said at least one human-machine interface signal and said at leastone GPS-derived signal sharing said connective link such that saidconnective link comprises a shared common connective link between saidin-vehicle communication control and said interior assembly; and Whereinsaid human-machine interface comprises at least one of (a) useractuatable inputs for controlling or actuating/deactuating functions ofsaid in-vehicle communication control and (b) at least one microphonefor receiving audible signals from within the vehicle cabin.
 2. Thecommunication system of claim 1, wherein said global positioning systemcontrol is operable to communicate said at least one GPS-derived signalto a directional heading display system for displaying directionalheading information to a driver or occupant of the vehicle.
 3. Thecommunication system of claim 1, wherein said global positioning systemcontrol is associated with said in-vehicle communication control, saidglobal positioning system control utilizing said connective link tocommunicate said at least one GSP-derived signal to said interiorassembly.
 4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said globalpositioning system control is located in said interior assembly, saidglobal positioning system control utilizing said connective link tocommunicate said at least one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehiclecommunication control.
 5. The communication system of claim 1, saidglobal positioning system control communicates said at least oneGPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and saidin-vehicle communication control via a coded signal superimposed on saidconnective link.
 6. The communication system of claim 1, wherein saidglobal positioning system control communicates said at least oneGPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and saidin-vehicle communication control via a bus.
 7. The communication systemof claim 6, wherein said bus comprises a first node at said interiorassembly and a second node at said in-vehicle communication control,said connective link being connected to said first and second nodes. 8.The communication system of claim 1, wherein said in-vehiclecommunication control comprises an in-vehicle telematics control unit.9. A communication system for a vehicle comprising: an interiorassembly; an in-vehicle communication control located in the vehicle andremote from said interior assembly; a wired connective link electricallyconnecting said interior assembly and said in-vehicle communicationcontrol; a human-machine interface located at said inteiror assembly,said human-machine interface being connected to said in-vehiclecommunication control via said connective link to communicate at leastone human-machine interface signal between said human-machine interfaceand said in-vehicle communication control; a global positioning systemcontrol in the vehicle, said global positioning system controlcommunicate at least one GPS-derived signal to one of said interiorassembly and said in-vehicle communication control via said connectivelink, said at least one human-machine interface signal and said at leastone GPS-derived signal sharing said connective link such that saidconnective link comprises a shared common connective link between saidin-vehicle communication control and said inteiror assembly; and Whereinglobal positioning system control communicates said at least oneGPS-derived signal to said one of said interior assembly and saidin-vehicle communication control via a bus.
 10. The communication systemof claim 9, wherein said bus comprises a first node at said interiorassembly and a second node at said in-vehicle communication control,said connective link being connected to said first and second nodes. 11.The communication system of claim 9, wherein said human-machineinterface comprises user actuatable inputs for controlling oractuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communicationcontrol.
 12. The communication system of claim 9, wherein saidhuman-machine interface comprises at least one microphone for receivingaudible signals from within the vehicle cabin.
 13. The communicationsystem of claim 9, wherein said global positioning system control isassociated with said-vehicle communication control, said globalpositioning system control utilizing said connective link to communicatesaid at least one GPS-derived signal to said interior assembly.
 14. Thecommunication system of claim 13, wherein said global positioning systemcontrol communicates said at least one GPS-derived signal to said one ofsaid interior assembly and said in-vehicle communication control via acoded signal superimposed on said connective link.
 15. A communicationsystem for a vehicle comprising: an interior assembly; an in-vehiclecommunication control located in the vehicle and remote from saidinterior assembly; wherein said in-vehicle communication controlcomprises an in-vehicle telematics control unit; a wired connective linkelectrically connecting said interior assembly and said in-vehiclecommunication contol; a human-machine interface located at said interiorassembly, said human-machine interface being connected to saidin-vehicle communication control via said connective link to communicateat least one human-machine interface signal between said human-machineinterface and said in-vehicle communication control; a globalpositioning system control in the vehicle, said global positioningsystem control communication at least one GPS-derived signal to one ofsaid interior assembly and saidin-vehicle communication contorl viasaidconnective link, said at least one human-machine interface signal andsaid at least one GPS-derived signal sharing said connective link suchthat said connective link comprises a shared common connective linkbetween said in-vehicle communication control and said interiorassembly; and wherein said global postioning system control communicatessaid at least one GPS-derived signal to said one of said interiorassembly and said in-vehicle communication control via a bus.
 16. Thecommunication system of claim 15, wherein said global positioning systemcontrol is located in said interion assembly, said global positioningsystem control utilizing said connective link to communicate said atleast one GPS-derived signal to said in-vehicle communication control.17. The communication system of claim 15, wherein said globalpositioning system control communicates said at least one tIPS-derivedsignal to said one of said interior assembly and said in-vehiclecommunication control via a coded signal superimposed on said connectivelink.
 18. The communication system of claim 15, wherein saidhuman-machine interface comprises user actuatable inputs for controllingor actuating/deactuating functions of said in-vehicle communicationcontrol.
 19. The communication system of claim 15, wherein saidhuman-machine interface comprises at least one microphone for receivingaudible signals from within the vehicle cabin.
 20. The communicationsystem of claim 15, wherein said bus comprises a first node at saidinterior assembly and a second node at said in-vehicle communicationcontrol, said connective link being connected to said first and secondnodes.